37 lakh bank accounts opened under Jan Dhan Yojana in Jharkhand

RANCHI: Around 37 lakh bank accounts were opened in Jharkhand under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, a government official said here today.

Addressing a joint press conference, the head of the Jharkhand Information Technology Department N N Sinha said Jharkhand saw opening of 37 lakh new accounts.

Mihir Kumar, the Director of Banking Operation, Union Finance Ministry was also present.

A new scheme, Jan Dhan to Jan Suraksha, will be launched on May 9 in Kolkata by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sinha said, adding that three different schemes of social security would be provided under the new scheme.

Under the scheme, the account holder can get Rs 2 lakh accidental insurance cover for a premium of Rs 12 per annum, Sinha said.

People who don't come under any pension scheme would get the benefit for a nominal investment under Atal Pension Scheme, Sinha said.

Accordingly, new accounts were being opened under the scheme while old accounts would also get the benefit.

General Manager of Bank of India, I M Mallick, said the objective behind launching the new scheme was that the Centre wants to bring in more people under the social security cover.